Bill would allow sheriffs to scan license plates

The Louisiana Senate approved Monday a measure that would allow some sheriff’s departments to automatically scan the license plates of drivers they pull over.

Senate Bill 250, which supporters say will help police crackdown on uninsured motorists and car thieves, was approved on a 33-2 vote and now moves to the House for consideration.

As is, law enforcement officers have to manually run a check on a car’s license plate number. If the bill is approved, it would create a pilot program allowing a handful of sheriff’s departments to install equipment that would automatically scan the plates.

That would allow police to quickly find out if a car is stolen, said SB250 sponsor, Sen. Ronnie Johns, R-Lake Charles.

Tickets for failing to have insurance would be issued through the mail, he said. But before those tickets are issued, the local district attorney would first have to review the information and approve the issuance of a ticket, Johns said.